A pastor and bestselling author will be the guest speaker at a worship event in Warwick this weekend.

Tony Evans, the founder and president of US-based ministry The Urban Alternative, will offer hope and encouragement during the GracePoint gospel celebration concert, “a night of worship and the word”, on Sunday.

He was the first African-American to earn a doctorate from Dallas Theological Seminary, where he also served as an associate professor, and the first African-American to publish a study Bible and full Bible commentary.

Dr Evans said: “There is so much fear, frustration and hopelessness in this culture, we stabilise it using God’s word as a common point and to provide a light in the darkness.”

He discussed protecting marriage when he visited the island in 2016 and spoke at GracePoint church in November.

Gary Simons, a pastor at GracePoint, said: “This event is different than a regular gospel concert, we wanted to do a mix of worship and The Word together in one event.

“Dr Evans will deliver a spiritual message of empowerment to uplift, inspire and give people hope.”

The event at the TN Tatem building will also feature Divine Expressions mime ministry, saxophonist Aaron Spencer, a surprise opening speaker, the GracePoint worship team and Sacred Steps.

Mr Simons said: “This is something people will remember and be talking about long after they leave this event.”

The session will begin at 7pm with tickets on sale at Ptix.bm for $40 general admission and $75 for patrons.

Patron tickets include priority seating and a signed copy of Dr Evans’s bestselling book, Victory in Spiritual Warfare.